CDC plans a large survey to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of military personnel and military health care providers regarding AVA. Two phases of focus group meetings are planned. These will be followed by representative surveys of the military population at two different time points to provide an understanding of the factors influencing perceptions of anthrax vaccine safety and efficacy and to inform the development of appropriate educational materials. CDC has contracted with Research Triangle Institute (RTI) to design and implement the survey, which will gather information from a representative sample of the U.S. military’s active duty and reserve populations. The baseline survey is planned to take place in early 2003, with a follow-up survey anticipated in 2005. Data analysis and reporting will take place in 2006.

This study is planned to obtain nationally representative data on the knowledge, awareness, attitudes, and practices of both military and civilian health care providers regarding the reporting of adverse events following immunization to VAERS. It is also intended to obtain information from providers about their general knowledge of and attitudes about anthrax vaccination. Information obtained from the study will be applied to the development of appropriate vaccine benefit and risk communication materials, including educational and promotional materials targeted to providers regarding anthrax vaccine safety and reporting of adverse events. CDC also anticipates gathering information from this study’s participants that might be used to improve VAERS from the reporter’s perspective. The study will be carried out via a mail-out survey designed and administered through a contract with RTI. The survey is planned for early 2003, with analysis and reporting of data completed later that year.

In the chapters that follow, the studies described briefly in this chapter are presented in greater detail, along with the committee’s evaluation and recommendations regarding each study. Chapter 7 provides the committee’s assessment of the research program as a whole.

CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). 2001. About NIP. [Online]. Available: http://www.cdc.gov/nip/about.htm [accessed May 7, 2002].

CDC. 2002a. About the Center. [Online]. Available: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/about.htm [accessed May 7, 2002].

CDC. 2002b. Protocol 1: AVA human reactogenicity and immunogenicity trial to address change in route of administration and dose reduction. Anthrax Vaccine Safety and Efficacy Plan. Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

CDC. 2002c. Section 1: anthrax vaccine safety and efficacy plan. Anthrax Vaccine Safety and Efficacy Plan. Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

CDC. 2002d. Section 3: critical research questions table. Anthrax Vaccine Safety and Efficacy Plan.Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

CDC. 2002e. Section 6: study summary: AVA human reactogenicity and immunogenicity trial to address change in route of administration and dose reduction. Anthrax Vaccine Safety and Efficacy Plan. Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

CDC. 2002f. Section 8: study summary: immune correlates of protection against inhalation anthrax—part C of the anthrax vaccine research program. Anthrax Vaccine Safety and Efficacy Plan. Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.